By ANGELA DAWSON

Front Row Features

Movies

Elizabethtown (Romantic Comedy)

Oscar-winning director Cameron Crowe’s beguiling romantic comedy “Elizabethtown” arrives for the first time ever on Blu-ray in time for Valentine’s Day gift-giving as part of the Paramount Presents line Tuesday Feb. 9, from Paramount Home Entertainment.

Orlando Bloom (“Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise) and Kirsten Dunst (“Spider-Man”) star in this heartfelt romance set against a fantastic rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack. Hot-shot designer Drew Baylor’s (Bloom) life becomes completely unraveled when he loses his father and his job on one fateful day. En route to Elizabethtown to visit his family, Drew meets Claire (Dunst). She’s beautiful, unstoppably positive, and just the gal to guide Drew on his journey back home and to teach him what it means to live and love along the way.  The film also stars Susan Sarandon, Alec Baldwin, Judy Greer and Jessica Biel.

The limited-edition Paramount Presents Blu-ray disc includes the film newly remastered from a 4K transfer supervised by Crowe. The disc is presented in collectible packaging that includes a foldout image of the film’s theatrical poster, and an interior spread with key movie moments.

The “Elizabethtown” Blu-ray also includes a new “Filmmaker Focus” with Crowe, never-before-seen deleted scenes, and an alternate ending with an introduction by Crowe.  Along with access to a Digital copy of the film, the Blu-ray also includes previously released special features, including deleted and extended scenes with an introduction by Crowe, “On the Road to Elizabethtown,” “The Music of ‘Elizabethtown,’” “Meet the Crew” featurette, “Training Wheels” featurette, a photo gallery and more.

Elysium (Sci-Fi)

From director Neill Blomkamp (“District 9”), comes the 4K UHD ad Blu-ray edition of the Matt Damon sci-fi starrer “Elysium,” available Tuesday Feb. 9, from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

In the year 2154, two classes of people exist: the very wealthy, who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. Secretary Delacourt (Jodie Foster) will stop at nothing to preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the citizens of Elysium—but that doesn’t stop the people of Earth from trying to get in by any means they can. Max (Damon) agrees to take on a life-threatening mission, one that could bring equality to these polarized worlds.

The 4K UHD edition includes the featurettes “Exoskeletons, Explosions and the Action Choreography of ‘Elysium,’” “The Hero, The Psychopath and the Characters of ‘Elysium,’” The Art of the ‘Elysium’ Miniatures,” “Bugatti 2154” and theatrical trailers.

The Blu-ray includes the bonus features “Collaboration: Crafting the Performances in ‘Elysium,’” “Engineering Utopia: Creating a Society in the Sky”, “In Support of the Story: The Visual Effects of ‘Elysium,’” “The Technology of 2154,” “The Journey to ‘Elysium,’” comprised of envisioning, capturing and enhancing for the film.

Jiang Ziya (Action)

China’s “Jiang Ziya,” the acclaimed follow-up to the international blockbuster, “Ne Zha” and the second chapter in the magical Fengshen Cinematic Universe, is a fate-defying, action-packed legendary tale retold through vibrant Chinese animation and debuts on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday Feb. 9, from Well Go USA Entertainment.

To earn his place amongst the gods, celestial army commander Jiang Ziya must vanquish a terrifying fox demon threatening the very existence of the mortal realm. After learning the creature’s fate is tied to that of a young girl, Jiang Ziya disobeys Heaven’s edict and spares the demon, resulting in his banishment to the mortal realm. Ten years later, he is given one more chance to complete the task, and Jiang Ziya must decide: is joining the ranks of the heavens worth the price of one innocent life?

The Blu-ray will be available for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $29.98 and the DVD will be available for $24.98 (SRP).

The Little Prince (Animated Adventure)

The beautifully animated adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s timeless story “The Little Prince” arrives on Blu-ray and DVD for the first time Tuesday Feb. 9, from Paramount Home Entertainment.

The animated movie features an all-star voice cast including Jeff Bridges, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, James Franco, Benicio Del Toro, Ricky Gervais, Albert Brooks, Paul Rudd, Mackenzie Foy and Paul Giamatti. It debuted on Netflix in 2016.

From Mark Osborne, the director of “Kung Fu Panda,” comes this critically acclaimed, re-imagined take on the classic story. At its heart is “The Little Girl” (Foy), prepared by her mother (McAdams) for the very grown-up real-world. After her eccentric, kind-hearted neighbor, “The Aviator” (Bridges) introduces her to an extraordinary world where anything is possible, she learns of “The Little Prince” (Osborne). Thus, begins the magical and emotional journey where one learns, amongst other things, it’s the human connections that matter most.

“The Little Prince” Blu-ray and DVD include a 25-minute featurette on the making of the film, as well as a music video for the song “Turnaround” by Camille. The Blu-ray additionally includes access to a Digital copy of the film.

Love Story (Romantic Drama)

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the timeless classic “Love Story” celebrates its 50^th anniversary with a brand-new Blu-ray in the Paramount Presents line, debuting Tuesday Feb. 9, from Paramount Home Entertainment.

In the film, they play Harvard students Oliver (Ryan O’Neal) and Jenny (Ali MacGraw), who come from opposite backgrounds but they share a chemistry they cannot deny—and a love they can’t ignore. Despite Oliver’s wealthy father threatening to disown him, the young couple marries and begins to build their new life together. But fate has other plans, and soon Oliver and Jenny face a crisis only the strongest of loves can endure.

Newly restored from a 4K film transfer, this new presentation beautifully captures the highs and lows of young love in a film that remains as impactful as ever.  Based on Erich Segal’s best-selling novel, “Love Story” was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and became a cultural phenomenon, earning more than $100 million at the domestic box office. In 2002, the AFI named it as No. 9 on its list of the 100 greatest love stories of all time.

The limited-edition Paramount Presents “Love Story” Blu-ray includes the newly restored film, a new “Filmmaker Focus” with film historian Leonard Maltin, plus previously released content including a commentary by director Arthur Hiller, an introduction by film critic Ben Mankiewicz, “‘‘Love Story’: A Classic Remembered,” and the theatrical trailer, plus access to a Digital copy of the film. The disc is presented in collectible packaging that includes a foldout image of the film’s theatrical poster, and an interior spread with key movie moments.

O’Neal and MacGraw each received Oscar nominations for their starring roles in the timeless, unmatched tale from the heart.

Monster Zone (Animated Fantasy)

A fun animated feature for the whole family, full of goofy monsters and crazy science experiments, “Monster Zone” is set to debut on Digital, On Demand and on DVD Tuesday Feb. 9, from Lionsgate.

From one of the writers of “Escape from Planet Earth” and “The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature,” “Monster Zone” was awarded the Dove Seal of Approval for all ages and features the voice talents of Jamie Bell and Ruby Rose.

Imagine Harry Potter as a science nerd, and you’ve got Danny Dawkins. At a private boarding school for geniuses, Danny teams up with classmate Liz to fix the school’s broken nuclear reactor. But when they fix it, they open a portal to another dimension, unleashing a horde of slimy monsters that terrorize the campus. Now, he and Liz must invent a way to send those nasty critters back home! This hilarious family adventure stars Jamie Bell (“Rocketman”) and Ruby Rose (“Orange is the New Black”).

The “Monster Zone” DVD will be available for $14.98 (SRP).

Wander Darkly (Romantic Drama)

“Wander Darkly” arrives on Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday, Feb. 9, from Lionsgate.

A traumatic accident leaves a couple, Adrienne (Sienna Miller) and Matteo (Diego Luna), in a surreal state of being that takes them on a disorienting journey through the duality of their shared moments. By reliving fond recollections from the beginning of their romance while also navigating the overwhelming truths of their present, they must rediscover the love that truly binds them together. Writer/director Tara Miele offers a profound new perspective on the delicate nature of relationships with this emotionally moving story about a couple who must reflect on their past in order to face their uncertain future.

Front Row Features is giving away a copy of the animated film “Jiang Ziya” on Blu-ray to three lucky readers so they can enjoy the visually stunning movie with their family. To enter the contest, simply email socalmovieeditor@aol.com by Feb. 15 for your chance to win. Good luck!